This temple is located at Tiruvotriyur, a part of Chennai city and is well connected by town buses from every part of Chennai city. There is also a suburban railway station known as Tiruvotriyur on the Chennai Central - Gummidipoondi route and the temple is within a short distance to the east of the railway station.

Temple address

Arulmighu Adipureeswarar TempleTiruvottriyurChennaiPIN 600019

Glorified in the hymns sung by the 3 saivite saints Appar, Sundarar and Sambandar is the famous Shivasthalam at Tiruvotriyur in Chennai. Lord Shiva is known here as Adhipureeswarar, Tyagarajar and Padampakka Nathar. The marriage of Sundarar, one of the Nayanmars, to Paravai Natchiar and Sangli Natchiar was held here with the bleesings of Lord Shiva. This is a big temple with big corridors and visited by devotees in large numbers. The temple main tower (Rajagopuram) is in the east which is about 120 feet in height. There is also another tower on the west. One can go straight to the Adhipuresswarar shrine by entering through the west tower. Adhipuresswarar is in the form of sivalingam and faces west. The shrine of female deity Vadivudai Amman attracts a large gathering of devotees on Fridays and full moon days. It is located on the eastern outer corridor facing south and can be seen on the right once we enter the temple through the east tower.

The Thyagarajar shrine is located on the outer southern corridor and is facing east. A mandapam in front of this shrine has an opening in the south through which one can enter the shrine of Adhipureeswarar. The other shrines in this temple are: Murugar, Kulandhai Easwarar, Kalyana Sundarar, Bhairarar and Navagraha shrines. The sculpture of Egapathamurthy which is found on the southern outer wall of the sanctum sanctorum is worth viewing.

According to mythology, this shivasthalam is considred as the first shivasthalam after the great deluge (pralayam). Lord Shiva is hence known as Adhipureeswarar and is a lingam of earth. This lingam is covered with a kavasam which is removed only during the full moon day in the Tamil month of Karthigai (November 15th to December 15th). The special poojas performed during this time is considered very auspicious and devotees assemble in very large numbers to witness the pooja and get the blessings of Lord Shiva.

The pillars in this temple mandapam have inscriptions from the period of Chola Kings Parakrama Chola I and Uttama Chola. There are 108 sivalingams in this temple. The festival conducted during the Tamil month of Masi (February 15th to March 15th) is the main attraction of this temple.

Tiruvotriyur Adhipureeswarar temple photos

5 tier east gopuram

Vadivudai Amman shrine entrance view

Navagriha shrine

Murugar and Kulandhai Eswarar shrines

Kalyana Sundarar shrine

Bhairavar shrine

Egapatha Murthy - nearer view

Temple tree makizha maram

Egapatha Murthy

Tiruvotriyur Adhipureeswarar temple is open from 6 AM to 12 Noon and from 4 PM to 8-30 PM.

Other paadal petra sivasthalam temples situated in and around Chennai.